The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-10
PROTECTING HIS OFFICE.
County Trustee Harris and James
r. nadden Come TO Blows.
A Special Deputy sheriff Insists
Upon Choosing His Pnssageway
Through the Courthouse.

usual Quiet about the courthouse was
rudely disturbed by brief but rat
ting mill between Special Deputy
Sheriff James F. Madden and County
Trustee Andrew ]. Harris. The pre-
liminsries and particulars, as learned
from an eye and ear witness, were as
follows:
The deputy, who had been out OF
the city four or five days, returned
Wednesday evening. He lives on the
south side Of Poplar street, across
from the courthouse and opposite the
trustees office. The door to that OF.
fee on Poplar street Is kept open dur
ing the summer for purposes OF venti
lation, the main entrance being
through the corridor and hall from
Main street. II seems Madden has
made frequent visits to the courthouse
since his return TO the city, nearly al
ways entering the building through
the trustees Office. These passages, II
10 said, were attended by unnecessary
noises, which had the effect OF tempo
rarily interrupting the clerical force
employed. TIE gentlemen complained
to Mr.. Harris. ard when Madden
came through yesterday afternoon he
was halted and addressed by Mr.. Har-
ris, as follows:
"Mr. Madden. II You have any bust
ness In this Office, you have only to
make Il known to be waited upon
cheeriully; but II you are merely
using II as a highway, then / must ask
you TO 20 through the regular way"
Mr.. Msdden's reply was: by Cd,
will pas through here whenever II
suits my convenience"
The trustee insisted that his office
was no common passage way; the dep.
uty adhered 10 his opinion, and was
finally instructed TO make himself sell
dom, unless business prompted his
presence, or there might DO somebody
hurt.
"By Cd. Andrew Harris" said
Madden, IN pass through here when
ever | want 10, and / don't know
whether you can lick me or not"
"That's all right" replied Mr.. Har-
rio, "go on now. I've told You all !
have 10 say"
"Tnsps all right; but doub,
whether you'll lick me or not" said
Madden, and left. He went over TO
his room across the street and present
ly returned 10 the trustees office win.
dow. saying:
"Come out hare, Andrew Harris,
and we'll see whether you can lick ms
or not"
Mr.. Harria adm rnlahed him 10 leave
the place, expressing q desire 10 have
nothing more 10 do with him.
swell, come out" insisted Madden,
land see II you can lick me-"
The depuiy's pertis,encv aggravated
Mr.. Harris. who said. i've told you
what have 10 say. don't want anv
trouble with you, but II you don't |
leave there l will come out, you con-
temp,lble puppy"
"Why, Cd d-n ynu," tald Mad
den, but before he could cay ANYTHING
more Mr.. Harris was on top Of him.
The two passed a blow or two, the
trustee displaying considerable science
In shielding himself from n arks, bu,
getting In one or two telling raps on
bis adversary. AZ this juncture nv. |
W. II. Coates, Of Bunlyp, interfered
and caught Mr.. Harris nv the right
shoulder. Az he did 90 Madden struck
the trustee alongside the lei, eye, leav.
Ing visible sign OF the collision. The |
combatants were then separated, and
peace ielgned during the remainder
oil the day. Az Madden started
acrOes the street, however, there was
an inclpent effort 10 revive the con.
hict A Younger brother OF the re.
treating deruty rushed acrose 10 the
trustees office, accompanied by an.
other young man, shouting, Come
back here, you coward; we'll zee that
you are not licked" II was a futile
a,temp, n sir mp the fan again, how.
ever, and affairs ssltled down TO the
ordipsry level.
A ies minutes later, In speaking NJ
the affair tnihree or four gentleman
In tho courthouse, Mr.. Madden aald
"Judge DuBo.e sent for me ~ soon m
be heard Of ". and told me 10 pase
through the trns'ea'a Office whenever
I pleased: that Andrew Harris, nor no
one el'e. had q right 10 stop me How.
eve'." he continued, 81 guess its all
right nov, ~ Mr.. Harris sen, ma ar
apology, stating that he acted hastily
and regretted the occurrence"
This sounded very nicely until u
came 10 the cara Of the trustee, who
pronounced II an unqualified lie; that
he never ssnt any such message. and
no such Idea ever entered his head.
I'm county trustee" he said, land
will serve a. such In the fall meaning
oi The term until my time ex ,Ires,
Providence permitting ! don't care
who comss In n they have anv brsi.
neea with the ofIlce, but do object 10
II being made convenient passage
way for the entire building. Even
Judge DuBose shall not do H."
Late Ia tho afternoon Mr.. Madden
was taken 10 the station house, where
he was released bv p. NJ. Winters he
coming us surety for SIS forfeit. Mr..
HafrlA's name vas also placed on the
1aak.N n